What Causes Walls To Bow And Buckle In Missouri And Illinois
Forces such as hydrostatic pressure, expansive clay solid and frost can create enough pressure to push foundation walls inward and even make them collapse over time.
Foundation walls’ main enemy is expanding soil. Expansive soils put large amounts of pressure up against your foundation walls, and with nothing backing them they easily succumb to bowing and then buckling.
Soils, especially clay soils, expand when wet. When snow melts and the spring showers roll in is the perfect storm for a bowing or buckling wall. This expanding soil has astonishing force; a clay-rich soil can exert over 5,000 lbs of pressure per square foot on foundation walls. This pressure can cause foundation walls to crack, bow or tilt inward. Expansive soils will develop continually until the foundation walls collapse. Addressing the issues early on is the fastest, least expensive and most reliable way to solve your foundation wall problem.
Sometimes bowing walls are difficult to see. Here are some signs of a bowing wall:
Cracks in the walls that are wider at the top than the bottom
Floors that are not level
Doors, cabinets and windows that do not shut properly
Cracking in the upstairs plaster and/or drywall
Cracking in exterior brickwork and/or caulking
Leaning of outside chimneys and/or porches
How to Fix Expansive Soil Damage
A foundation repair specialist who is familiar with local soil condition will probably know whether or not expansive soils have played a role in bowing or buckling walls.
One of the most efficient ways to fix an expansive soil problem is through the use of wall anchors. A foundation wall anchor is a three part system which includes a wall plate, an anchor rod, and a soil anchor. These anchors can usually be installed year-round, cause minimal disturbance to your home, and they do not require maintenance.
Another foundation repair method that goes hand-in hand with the wall anchors is the adjustable I-Beams. This method uses steel beams that are custom-fit to your basement wall height. The beam is secured tight against your basement wall with steel brackets that are anchored to the basement floor and floor joist. These steel beams will stabilize your walls in its current position so that they will not shift any further. It is important to tackle your foundation wall problem before it becomes worse for your home and your wallet. As a wall continues to deteriorate they become more expensive, and depending on your solution, more timely and invasive.
Is My Wall Ever Too Damaged to Repair?
If you find a quality foundation repair expert they should be able to save your foundation wall no matter how severe the damage. It is very important to find a contractor that knows the root of your foundation problem and has the products and the experience to return value to your greatest possession, your home.
Woods Basement Systems is an expert foundation contractor in MO. Visit them online for a free foundation repair estimate!
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